I’ll bet I can get you to read the rest of this column by just posing this question: Do you remember using the expression “let’s pretend” when you were a kid?
If you are still reading, I must apologize for two things about this column. One, in my last column I wrote that Count Basie and his band would be the subject of this column, and two, this column includes a commercial. I promise to write about The Count next time. As for the commercial, I’ll get to it soon.
Back to my bet and playing “let’s pretend.” Let’s pretend that you’re locked in a room and given only recorded music to pass time. The choices of music styles are limited to the following: classical, rap, hip-hop, and big band. Raise your hand if you would have chosen classical or big band. I’m glad to see your hand up, even though it’s possible that none of those four are among your favorite styles. So where am I going with this “let’s pretend” thing?
Actually, pretending is a major part of music, all music. Pretend you are Beethoven. A theme pops into your head and you decide to expand on that theme. Your mind tries to imagine what might come next. You consider a variety of elements: keys, rhythms, harmonies, time signatures, instruments, and other components that will help you visualize the story you are attempting to put to music, perhaps as the backdrop for a ballet.
Let’s pretend instead that you are Stan Kenton, composing a jazz piece for your orchestra. It’s the same basic routine as it was for Beethoven, just a different style of music and with an additional component. Jazz has a unique component: improvisation. The score written by Beethoven offers little room for improvising by the individual musician. But in Kenton’s score, soloists are given liberty to insert their own interpretation of Kenton’s theme, using the framework that Kenton has created in the background.
This happens in small jazz groups as well, such as Dave Brubeck’s group. Starting with a simple melody line, the band expands it with solos as it becomes an effort of teamwork as each player feeds off the soloist, perhaps providing counter melodies or laying down chords and rhythms as they build a variation on a theme, all improvised. This is what draws many musicians (and listeners) to jazz—the combination of some structure and lots of freelance coming together musically as they feed off each other’s ideas.
So when you listen to any music, try to put yourself into the head of the composer and “pretend” that you are a player. You will get a whole new perspective of what music is all about, why it gets into our being, and why it is a way of life for so many people, not just composers and players, but for listeners and dancers to enjoy on their own level of appreciation.
Now here comes the commercial. Just a couple of years ago, I said to myself (being in a pretending mode), we should have a big swing band in Sun City. I suggested this to Donna Bressler, our Sun City Concert Band director, and she agreed it would be a great project. The project has since become a reality, as each year our own big band comprised of almost 20 musicians and called Let’s Dance! performs locally for dances sponsored by CAM or other organizations on a limited basis. By the way, band members don’t get paid. Our fees go toward the purchase of music arrangements, sound equipment, etc.
Over the course of the past two years, the CAM-sponsored dances have drawn a very enthusiastic crowd of dancers and listeners. However, the dances have never been sold out. We hope that more of you will come out and support the band at our next CAM event on October 30. Tickets are available at the CAM desk. See your Lifestyles magazine for more details.
Okay, we’re done pretending. Let’s get out there and dance!
Please send your comments to me at greengeezer9@comcast.net. I’d love to hear from you with your comments and suggestions for future columns.
